- Tensions rose over the leadership of the Lagos State Assembly as Mudashiru Obasa, the ousted Speaker declared his return
- Subsequently, Lagos lawmakers rejected Mudashiru Obasa’s claim to the Speaker position
- Chairman Steven Ogundipe vowed to uphold Obasa’s removal, confirming Mojisola Meranda as the legitimate Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly
Members of the Lagos State House of Assembly rejected Mudashiru Obasa’s claim to the position of Speaker during a press conference on Thursday, February 27.
The lawmakers firmly stated that Obasa was no longer the Speaker, reaffirming their support for the current Speaker, Mojisola Meranda.
Ogundipe reaffirms Lagos assembly's commitment to upholding Obasa’s removal
Recall that Obasa was removed from office on January 13, 2025, by a majority vote of the 40-member House over allegations of impropriety and authoritarian leadership.
Speaking to reporters, the Chairman of the House Committee on Information, Security, and Strategy, Steven Ogundipe, emphasised that the lawmakers were committed to upholding Obasa’s removal.
“He was not elected as Speaker by his constituency. We endured his master-slave leadership for nearly a decade. Now, we’ve had enough, and we’re not backing down,” Ogundipe stated.
Security aides withdrawn from speaker Meranda, escalating tensions
Obasa was seen entering the Assembly complex accompanied by two lawmakers, Ayinde Akinsanya (Mushin Constituency I) and Noheem Adams (Mushin Constituency II).
Reports emerged that the security aides assigned to Speaker Meranda had been withdrawn, while sources close to Obasa confirmed the restoration of his own security personnel.
Tensions surrounding the leadership of the Assembly escalated further on Thursday, as Obasa declared he had resumed his position as Speaker, following the election of Meranda as his successor.
Obasa, Orji, 25 other ex-speakers of states’ houses of assembly that were impeached
Meanwhile, TheRadar earlier reported that Mudashiru Obasa’s impeachment added to the list of removed legislative heads, including leaders from Ondo, Edo, Ekiti, and Kebbi.
The TheRadar compiled other ex-speakers of states’ houses of assembly who were also impeached.